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Toolkits for Emerging Writers #2
Write Worlds Your Readers Won't Forget
"There are other worldbuilding books out there; this is the one you want." - Travis Heerman, author of the Ronin trilogy and Death Wind. Like a god, you get to invent a world. Maybe several. But how do you make these worlds that readers want to visit? How do you make them worlds that readers never want to leave? In Write Worlds Your Readers Won't Forget, explore how to create unforgettable environments, creatures, and cultures in 33 intensive exercises. ADVANCE PRAISE FOR WRITE WORLDS YOUR READERS WON'T "One of the best worldbuilding workbooks I've ever seen. Litore is inspirational, reveling in the power of imagination and packing his journey with top-notch examples and exercises. A superb resource for beginners and pros alike." – Richard Ellis Preston, Jr., author of Romulus Buckle and the City of the Founders “Stant Litore’s book overflows with everything you need to know to build your own worlds from the ground up or the top down, from creatures to ecology to culture. Tons of thought-provoking exercises help create an elegant framework for speculative worldbuilding. With these techniques and your own creativity, you’ll be able to create worlds your readers will never want to leave. There are other worldbuilding books out there; this is the one you want.” – Travis Heermann, author of the Ronin trilogy and Death Wind “Not only is the advice great, but there's a warmth to the chapters that makes writing inviting rather than intimidating.” – Todd Mitchell, author of The Traitor King and The Last Panther “A master class in world Litore has created an accessible, comprehensive approach. Covering religion, biology, technology, magic, language, justice, privilege and more, the book ignites the writer's imagination with provocative questions and exercises. Pro read this with a notebook handy. You will be inspired to get down to the business of building your fictional world in ways you hadn't dreamed possible. Litore's passion for well-crafted sci-fi comes through in every chapter.” – S.G. Redling, author of Flowertown and Damocles “This is a clear, comprehensive, and beautifully written guide to worldbuilding that will not only help emerging writers to find their voices and build imaginative worlds and characters, but one that will also prove invaluable to experienced writers seeking to spark their creative impulses or deepen the worlds they create. My favorite thing about this guide was how incredibly immersive it is. When Litore says the word 'worldbuilding,' he's not kidding… Highly recommended -- I can't wait to use some of the exercises and questions Litore offers here when writing my next book.” – Angela Mitchell, author of Falada and Dancing Days “Stant Litore does an excellent job bringing structure and order to the art of world-building. His book makes the craft easy to understand and is filled with information for beginners and veterans alike.” – Milton Davis, author of Changa’s Safari “Stant Litore is a wonderful storyteller with a knack for creating nuanced characters and equally nuanced worlds. And this book delivers on its it offers a great glimpse at how to write worlds your readers won’t forget.” – James A. Hunter, author of the Yancy Lazarus series and Viridian Gate Online
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2017
150 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Stant Litore
49 books216 followersStant Litore is the author of Ansible, The Running of the Tyrannosaurs, The Zombie Bible, and Dante’s Heart. Besides science fiction and fantasy, he has written the writers’ toolkits Write Worlds Your Readers Won’t Forget and Write Characters Your Readers Won’t Forget, as well as Lives of Unstoppable Hope and Lives of Unforgetting, and has been featured in Jeff Vandermeer’s Wonderbook: An Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction. He has served as a developmental editor for Westmarch Publishing and holds a Ph.D. in English. He lives in Aurora, Colorado with his wife and three children and is currently at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 28, 2018
If you write speculative fiction, stop what you're doing and read this book, now.
Okay, I suppose you want more reason than that. When I picked this book up, I was downright cocky about my worldbuilding skills. I have advanced degrees in sociology and human development, for one thing, with amateur interests in history, mythology, and religions. I've been building one world (and running games and writing stories in it) for over two decades, and have written many hundreds of pages of notes about its creatures, geography, magic systems, religions, cultures, and history. I've read a ridiculous amount of source material, from weapons development to ancient foods to geology.
This book made me realize that I've been carefully painting details on the trees and have forgotten the whole point of the forest.
Litore helped me focus in on the important aspects of the world that shape my characters' lives and goals and challenges, from basics of the environment to aspects of the culture. He got me thinking in a deeper way about why these particular people would design their shelters and societies the way they do, and how this in turn affects the characters who live there. As Litore puts it, "worldbuilding is not an activity that is separate from plot design or character development. The conditions you write into the world create opportunities for plot and exert pressures on your characters."
The first couple chapters seemed at first more relevant for science fiction writers, as they focus on physical aspects of alien worlds. Yet even these are useful for my Earth-like fantasy world, because it made me think more about regions with extreme climates.
When I got to the chapter on creature design, I was hooked. Clearly my monsters need an upgrade. But it was the section on building civilizations that floored me. He packs a ton of value into those 70 pages. So much so that I stopped flagging "to do" parts with post-it notes because I was marking almost every page. Instead, I scheduled a month later this summer to sit down and rethink my entire world, going through page by page to make sure I'm asking myself all the right questions.
The last section is also useful, offering good guidance on how to portray this world to the readers without resorting to the dreaded lengthy info dump.
Overall, this is an excellent craft book that should be on the shelf of every writer of speculative fiction.
Okay, I suppose you want more reason than that. When I picked this book up, I was downright cocky about my worldbuilding skills. I have advanced degrees in sociology and human development, for one thing, with amateur interests in history, mythology, and religions. I've been building one world (and running games and writing stories in it) for over two decades, and have written many hundreds of pages of notes about its creatures, geography, magic systems, religions, cultures, and history. I've read a ridiculous amount of source material, from weapons development to ancient foods to geology.
This book made me realize that I've been carefully painting details on the trees and have forgotten the whole point of the forest.
Litore helped me focus in on the important aspects of the world that shape my characters' lives and goals and challenges, from basics of the environment to aspects of the culture. He got me thinking in a deeper way about why these particular people would design their shelters and societies the way they do, and how this in turn affects the characters who live there. As Litore puts it, "worldbuilding is not an activity that is separate from plot design or character development. The conditions you write into the world create opportunities for plot and exert pressures on your characters."
The first couple chapters seemed at first more relevant for science fiction writers, as they focus on physical aspects of alien worlds. Yet even these are useful for my Earth-like fantasy world, because it made me think more about regions with extreme climates.
When I got to the chapter on creature design, I was hooked. Clearly my monsters need an upgrade. But it was the section on building civilizations that floored me. He packs a ton of value into those 70 pages. So much so that I stopped flagging "to do" parts with post-it notes because I was marking almost every page. Instead, I scheduled a month later this summer to sit down and rethink my entire world, going through page by page to make sure I'm asking myself all the right questions.
The last section is also useful, offering good guidance on how to portray this world to the readers without resorting to the dreaded lengthy info dump.
Overall, this is an excellent craft book that should be on the shelf of every writer of speculative fiction.
July 5, 2018
Very good reference. Stant Litore talks about way more than just flora and fauna - he discusses, how concepts like religion and privilege, but even simpler things like transportation or a home can shape society. He also dissects what makes a world unforgettable.
There are lots of exercises in the book, many of them extremely helpful.
I'm quite happy I found this book.
(Sorry for any mistakes - I'm not a native speaker)
There are lots of exercises in the book, many of them extremely helpful.
I'm quite happy I found this book.
(Sorry for any mistakes - I'm not a native speaker)
April 29, 2018
This fascinating book not only explains how to build worlds that will interest your readers, but why the different aspects of the worlds your characters inhabit are important and how those aspects affect the characters and the plot they move through. It is one of the books that has most influenced me as an emerging writer.
October 12, 2022
This is, hands down, the best book I've ever had the pleasure to read on worldbuilding. I have an MFA in creative writing (fiction) and have read countless books on the subject over the years, but this is the first one I've found that is written in clear, accessible language, with amazing current examples, and exercises that facilitate learning. Litore writes with a joy that is apparent from page one. The language is playful, and often an invitation to rethink key concepts we, as writers, have learned over the years.
If I had this book when I was still teaching at the University, I would have considered it a "must have" bible for each of my students!
Definitely pick this up and give it a read, and share it with all the aspiring writers and teachers you know. I promise you won't be disappointed!
If I had this book when I was still teaching at the University, I would have considered it a "must have" bible for each of my students!
Definitely pick this up and give it a read, and share it with all the aspiring writers and teachers you know. I promise you won't be disappointed!
September 23, 2025
Surprisingly more useful and informative than I anticipated. The author focuses on landscape, creatures, and society, highlighting how just one interesting key feature of each can create conflict and memorable settings. The lessons are also a reminder that each aspect of worldbuilding affects the others and the characters. It reminded me of an important point a sociology professor once relayed in class: sociology, biology, and psychology are all interrelated, and it's impossible to completely explain phenomena without considering this trifecta.
The 30+ exercises strewn throughout the text are engaging and provide opportunities to practice what's being taught. I'll certainly turn to them when worldbuilding my next novel. Highly recommend.
The 30+ exercises strewn throughout the text are engaging and provide opportunities to practice what's being taught. I'll certainly turn to them when worldbuilding my next novel. Highly recommend.
August 7, 2025
A great book of ideas on creating compelling and interesting worlds for your fiction.
The book is full of fun exercises to teach relevant points and improve one's writing.
I think this is a value-add for any writer.
I would have liked to see a little more 'meat' on how to develop a coherent and consistent whole, but some of the text and exercises do get at that.
The book is full of fun exercises to teach relevant points and improve one's writing.
I think this is a value-add for any writer.
I would have liked to see a little more 'meat' on how to develop a coherent and consistent whole, but some of the text and exercises do get at that.
June 19, 2019
I enjoyed the way the various ways to approach world-building are presented, with a fun example story running throughout. All the thought-provoking questions are especially useful. I wrote a ton of notes for my work-in-progress.
December 10, 2019
Excellent and very thought-provoking. As a linguist I wish there'd been more about languages... maybe his next book will be "Write Languages Your Readers Won't Forget"? ;) But a great overview with a nice focus on world building in service of story.
April 7, 2024
Detailed useful funny
This book is useful in focusing on the most important things you need to know about world building. It offers lots of exercises to bring the concepts home. Best of all the information is delivered with good humor.
This book is useful in focusing on the most important things you need to know about world building. It offers lots of exercises to bring the concepts home. Best of all the information is delivered with good humor.
February 22, 2020
Short but thorough and thought-provoking. Lots of examples and ~30 writing exercises. I appreciate the practicality, and the brevity. I will be rereading this as I think through world building.
June 1, 2020
Great Read
Great book to get you started on the often overwhelming task of worldbuilding. Great examples and exercises are provided within to get the creative juices rolling.
Great book to get you started on the often overwhelming task of worldbuilding. Great examples and exercises are provided within to get the creative juices rolling.
June 15, 2024
All of Litore's writing books have helped me develop my own story ideas. Great insight and easy to follow writing exercises that build on each other.
April 2, 2022
I found about Write Worlds Your Readers Won't Forget via the required reading list for two different Writing The Other classes, and wish I’d read them sooner. Stant Litore’s books are fairly short and laser-focused on providing the most value to emerging writers in the fewest words. The two most valuable sections of the book to me were the first, on three specific features that make a fictional world memorable, and the last, on how to convey your worldbuilding to readers (no surprise: it’s not via infodump).
The book opens with a claim that a shortcut to making a world memorable are to define a unique set of physical circumstances (such as the all-desert world of Arrakis in Dune), a unique creature or type of creature (such as the sandworms), and a unique cultural element, typically responding to those things (such as the Fremen focus on preserving moisture and co-existing with the sandworms). He has other examples, but even that one was enough to inspire some creative thinking about my WIP.
Conveying the world is a matter of figuring out the minimum a reader needs to know at each point in the story, and introducing the world-building elements “just in time” for them to understand whatever is going on in the story at that point. I’ve read this advice in several other places. Litore goes beyond this to discuss the “threshold text” that, like the Star Trek captain’s logs, brings the reader into the story.
There are several possible types of in-world guide, characters who invite the reader over that threshold. The Innocent is as unknowing as the reader, who learns about the world at the same time as the character. The Embedded is the opposite: someone who knows a great deal, and conveys much through action, behaviour, and details they take for granted. The Immigrant combines the two, learning about the new world but also trying to set down roots, like Cordelia Naismith in the Vorkosigan Saga. The Disinherited underdog will notice many details a privileged character wouldn’t.
The largest chunk in the middle was about defining interesting cultures, and all the different aspects to consider: homes, religion, transportation, ruins and relics of the past, technology and magic, rites of passage, privilege, law versus justice, and more. Far more than a checklist, it goes into why these details are important, and how they affect characters and plot.
At the moment I consider this the single most enlightening and useful book on worldbuilding I have ever read.
The book opens with a claim that a shortcut to making a world memorable are to define a unique set of physical circumstances (such as the all-desert world of Arrakis in Dune), a unique creature or type of creature (such as the sandworms), and a unique cultural element, typically responding to those things (such as the Fremen focus on preserving moisture and co-existing with the sandworms). He has other examples, but even that one was enough to inspire some creative thinking about my WIP.
Conveying the world is a matter of figuring out the minimum a reader needs to know at each point in the story, and introducing the world-building elements “just in time” for them to understand whatever is going on in the story at that point. I’ve read this advice in several other places. Litore goes beyond this to discuss the “threshold text” that, like the Star Trek captain’s logs, brings the reader into the story.
There are several possible types of in-world guide, characters who invite the reader over that threshold. The Innocent is as unknowing as the reader, who learns about the world at the same time as the character. The Embedded is the opposite: someone who knows a great deal, and conveys much through action, behaviour, and details they take for granted. The Immigrant combines the two, learning about the new world but also trying to set down roots, like Cordelia Naismith in the Vorkosigan Saga. The Disinherited underdog will notice many details a privileged character wouldn’t.
The largest chunk in the middle was about defining interesting cultures, and all the different aspects to consider: homes, religion, transportation, ruins and relics of the past, technology and magic, rites of passage, privilege, law versus justice, and more. Far more than a checklist, it goes into why these details are important, and how they affect characters and plot.
At the moment I consider this the single most enlightening and useful book on worldbuilding I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews